The Eire Society is one of Boston's oldest Irish organizations and was founded in Boston in 1937. Our rich history and vibrant membership includes a wide variety of individuals from various backgrounds, professions and age groups. Some of our prestigious members and Gold Medal honorees include John F. Kennedy, Seamus Heaney, The Chieftains, John Hume, Siobhan McKenna, Sean McBride, George Mitchell, John Huston, William Bulger, 'Tip' O'Neill and Maureen O'Hara (The Quiet Man).

The Eire Society promotes knowledge of Irish culture through the encouragement of study in the arts, sciences, literature, language and history of Ireland; the contributions to civilization made by the Irish and those of Irish ancestry; networking between all Irish and Americans; and raising awareness of the actions made by the Irish for the advancement of American ideals.

The Eire Society is a non-political and non-sectarian organization, which throughout its history has welcomed people who share its concerns, regardless of their race, religion or ethnicity. Our group has been in Boston since 1937 and boasts roughly 350 members (and growing). We are are a diverse mix of individuals of all ages and backgrounds, both American and Irish-born.

Throughout Eire Society history, this Boston Irish organization has contributed to the arts and culture of Boston in countless ways, from commissioning the Boston Pops to play at Symphony Hall to honoring Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume of the SDLP with our annual Gold Medal Award Ceremony. Former Taoiseach and President of Ireland Eamon De Valera was especially fond of the Eire Society and our work for Ireland and welcomed Eire Society members repeatedly to Arus an Uachtarain (The Irish White House). The Eire Society of Boston has hosted nearly 1000 lectures, screenings, opening nights, and receptions, cooperated with four decades of Irish consular and diplomatic missions, given its support to Irish hospitals, educational ventures, ecumenical and peace-seeking projects, and creative enterprises almost beyond number. Below are a few notable contributions to the arts and culture of the city of Boston:

Book of Kells Reproduction at Boston College	Donation of a Book of Kells Replica to the Rare Irish Collection at Boston College In 1989 the Eire Society presented a facsimile of The Book of Kells to the Rare Irish collection at the Burns Library, Boston College.
Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin by Fergus O'Ryan at the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University	Donation of Fergus O'Ryan Painting to the Harvard Fogg Art Museum In 1953, the Eire Society presented three Fergus O'Ryan oils to local institutions: one each to the Boston Public Library, Harvard's Fogg Museum, and Boston College High School. Boston College received works of literature, history, and law (including $2,300 worth of Irish legal documents in facsimile), as well as several portraits and landscapes of Mountmellick and Tramore Bay. Learn more about the Fergas O'Ryan Paintings
18th Century Perry violin	Donation of a Fine Perry Violin to Harvard University In 1953 Harvard University accepted a fine Irish 18th Century Perry violin from the Eire Society of Boston in addition to $5,000 to underwrite acquisition of treasures on microfilm from the National Library of Ireland. Read more about the Perry Violin
One of three Celtic Irish treasures at the MFA, purchased through contributions from the Eire Society	Donation of Celtic Treasures to the Museum of Fine Arts Boston In 1945, the Society used the season's surplus from the City's Hibernia Savings Bank to donate $1,000 to Boston's Museum of Fine Arts to purchase ancient Celtic ornaments in gold. The pieces were purchased by the MFA in 1950 for display in the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Most recently, in September of 2007, these celtic ornaments were unveiled at a special Eire Society showing followed by a reception at the MFA.
	The Commissioning of the Eire Suite by the Boston Pops The Eire Society commissioned a Boston Pops concert in Symphony Hall on June 6, 1947 conducted by Arthur Fiedler. The suite called the Irish Suite was originally called the "Eire Suite" as in recognition of the donation by the Eire Society of Boston. Read More About the Eire Suite

To learn more about our rich and vibrant history, view information on the Eire Society's history, adapted from the work of the late George E. Ryan.